From warts to cancer. What are papillomas, and why are they dangerous?
Papillomavirus (human papillomavirus - HPV) is a disease caused by a viral infection that affects the skin and mucous membranes.
The virus manifests itself in the form of warts, papillomas, condylomas of various shapes. The tumor consists of nodules and resembles cauliflower inflorescences or cockscombs. Skin papilloma can be both small (no more than 1 mm) and quite large (up to 2 cm). At the beginning of its development, the formation has a flesh color, but over time it acquires a brown tint. Most often, warts appear on the neck, in the inguinal folds, armpits, elbows, knees, head, and around the eyes. Also, growths can be in inconspicuous places, for example, on the cervix, in the vagina, on the external genitalia.
Classification
This disease has been known since ancient Greece. To date, statistics say that only 1 out of 10 people is not a carrier of any type of HPV.
To determine what type of virus you have, you need to see a doctor and pass the necessary tests.
Ways of infection
The papillomavirus needs special conditions to infiltrate the body. Infection occurs from person to person through direct contact. The greatest danger of transmission is through sexual contact, since the alkaline environment is beneficial for the virus, and there are often microcracks on the genitals.
In everyday life, it is more difficult to become infected with the papilloma virus, but there is a risk of transmission of the virus if the sick and the healthy use the same bath towel and washcloth. If someone in the family is sick with HPV, then personal hygiene and precautions should always be observed.
The only manifestation of the papillomavirus are genital warts and flat papules, although there may not be visible manifestations of the virus.
Risk factors
What to do, if…
. . . if you accidentally damaged or plucked the tumor, treat the wound with an antiseptic (brilliant green, alcohol solution). For the first 2-3 days, do not disturb it with water procedures and do not cover it with a band-aid.
. . . if the growth bleeds, hurts, has increased in size - you need to urgently seek help from a specialist.
The human papillomavirus is a risk factor for the development of cancer. First of all - cancer of the cervix, as well as the external genitalia.
But infection with papilloma does not necessarily lead to cancer. There are viruses of low oncogenic risk - these are subtypes 6, 11, 42, 43, 44 (more often they appear in the form of pointed outgrowths - genital warts). Subtypes 16, 18, 31, 33 - have a high oncogenic risk, they form flat papules - warts. But from infection to malignant degeneration of cells, on average, it takes 10-20 years.
Smoking, alcohol, obesity, hormonal disorders that reduce immunity can accelerate the pathological process. Sometimes a virus that has been dormant in the body for years can suddenly wake up from sleep.
Papilloma is pushed to destructive changes by sexually transmitted infections: cytomegalovirus, genital herpes, chlamydia, syphilis, gonorrhea, trichomoniasis.
Also, banal inaccuracy can become a risk factor. Papillomas in the armpit, on the neck and face are often injured, after which they bleed and can become inflamed.
Frequent trauma to the papilloma can contribute to its degeneration into a malignant tumor.
If you have large papillomas on your body that you often touch, this is a direct indication for their removal.
The Importance and Effectiveness of Vaccination
Vaccination against papillomavirus is important to prevent cancer and genital warts in men and women. Also, vaccines prevent precancerous conditions.
Vaccination against papillomavirus reduces the risk of various diseases:
- Cervical cancer- Special vaccine 4 reduces the risk of disease by approximately 70%, and vaccine 9, approved for use in Israel since the 5780 academic year (2019 - 2020), can reduce the risk of disease by approximately 90%.
- Vaginal cancer– reduces the risk of disease by approximately 96%.
- Cancer of the penis– reduces the risk of disease by approximately 99%.
- Rectal cancer- reduces the risk of disease by approximately 77%.
- Warts on the genitals- in Australia, among girls under 21 years of age, the vaccine reduced the incidence by approximately 92%, and among boys aged 16-26 by approximately 89%.
- The vaccine also prevents the formation of warts on the genitals and in the larynx, which appear within a short period after infection.
Duration of protection provided by the vaccine
Vaccination is effective for a period of at least 15 years, which is the length of time that has elapsed since the vaccine was first used. Studies show that women who were vaccinated 15 years ago still have levels of antibodies that protect against the virus. Experts predict that the vaccine will provide protection for years to come; possibly for life.
Vaccination process
Vaccination against the papillomavirus is carried out by intramuscular injection into the shoulder area, two or three servings for six months.
HPV vaccination is recommended for boys and girls aged 9 to 26 years.
In special cases, on the recommendation of the attending physician, it is possible to vaccinate men and women aged 27-45 years.
It is important to get vaccinated at school age:
- The vaccine does not cure diseases resulting from infection that occurred before vaccination, and therefore it is important to get vaccinated before the risk of infection arises.
- Infection with the papilloma virus is possible at the first sexual contact, and therefore it is important to get vaccinated before the onset of sexual activity.
- The best immune response is achieved with vaccination at school age, compared with vaccination at an older age.
Vaccination against HPV papillomavirus as part of the vaccination program in schools
- Starting from the 2019-2020 school year, boys and girls in the 8th grade of the school will be vaccinated with vaccine 9, in two portions with an interval of six months.
- In the past years, vaccinations were carried out: From the 2015-2016 school year and until the 2018-2019 school year, boys and girls were vaccinated in the 8th grade of the school with vaccine 4. In the 2014-2015 school years, girls were vaccinated in the 8th grade of the school with vaccine 4. In 2013-In the 2014 school year, girls were vaccinated with the Cervarix vaccine in the 8th grade of the school, and girls in the 9th grade at the health bureau.
Vaccination of boys
The recommendation to vaccinate boys, not just girls, follows the same reasons girls are vaccinated:
- To protect girls and boys from cancers and genital warts caused by a virus
- To prevent person-to-person transmission of the virus
Vaccination of children not vaccinated at school
We recommend that children who have not been vaccinated at school be vaccinated against HPV.
The Ministry of Health recommends that girls born in 1999 or later, and boys born in 2002 or later who have not completed their full vaccination course, get vaccinated.
- 9th grade students- Vaccination will be carried out by health care providers for students at the place of residence, free of charge.
- Students in grade 10 and above who are under the age of 18– Vaccination will be carried out at the Health Bureau of the Ministry of Health at the place of residence, free of charge.
- Over the age of 18– you can get vaccinated at the health insurance fund, for a fee.
Children who received only one dose of the vaccine in grade 8 should receive an additional vaccination with a second dose after at least six months.
Children who receive two doses in 8th grade within a period of less than five months should receive an additional vaccination with a third dose, at least 12 weeks after the second dose.
From grade 9 and up, unvaccinated children are vaccinated by administering three doses (rather than two, as the response to the vaccine is better at a younger age). The recommended time interval between the first and second portion is from one to two months, and between the second and third portion is five months.
It is recommended to vaccinate adults up to 26 years of age.
Adults who have received one dose of the vaccine in the past should supplement the vaccination according to age at the time of vaccination.
Do not vaccinate at the same time as other vaccinations.
There is no need to check for HPV infection before vaccination.
Vaccine safety
HPV vaccines contain only an empty shell of the virus, and do not contain the genetic material (DNA) of the virus - therefore they are safe, and there is no possibility of infection with the HPV papillomavirus during vaccination.